The
history of military units in Ontario
County (now Durham Region) in the
Province of Ontario can be traced as far
back as 1837. In that year (1837-1838),
an infantry company was formed in Whitby.
Several years later, in 1856, a Highland
Rifle Company was formed by Capt James
Wallace, in Whitby.

Four years later, in 1860, this rifle
company became part of the 2nd
Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of
Canada. This battalion changed its
name in 1862 to the Queen's Own Rifles
of Toronto, (later the Queen's Own
Rifles of Canada). The Whitby Rifle
Company became Number 6 Company
of the Queen's Own. However, an
important change soon took place in the
battalion.

The
Queen's Own, because of successful
recruiting, was able to fill its ranks
in Toronto. The Whitby Rifle Company,
therefore, became independent in 1862.
At this time there were nine independent
companies in Ontario County. These
companies were sent to the Niagara area
during the time of the Fenian Raids,
1864-1866. Following their service at
Niagara, these nine companies were
reorganized in 1866 and given the name,
the 34th Battalion of Infantry,
with headquarters in Whitby. Company
headquarters were located at Columbus,
Brooklin and Uxbridge.

Some members of the 34th Battalion saw
active service later during the North
West Rebellion of 1885, and the Boer
War, 1899-1902.

In 1900, the unit's name was changed
from the 34th Battalion of Infantry to
the 34th Ontario Regiment
(Ontario, in this case, refers to the
County of Ontario, not the province).

The 116th's commanding officer LCol
(later Major General) George Pearkes VC
PC CC CB DSO MC CD won the Victoria
Cross at the battle of Passchendaele.

During the war, a second battalion was
also raised in Ontario County and
assigned the number 182. Although this
battalion went to Europe as a complete
unit in 1917, it was broken up to
provide reinforcements to other Canadian
battalions that had suffered heavy
losses at Vimy Ridge.

When
World War I began in 1914, the 34th
recruited soldiers from Ontario County
for various Canadian overseas
battalions. Enough soldiers had been
recruited by September 1915 to enable
formation of a full county-based
battalion. This new battalion was
assigned the number 116.

The 116th's commanding officer LCol
(later Major General) George Pearkes VC
PC CC CB DSO MC CD won the Victoria
Cross at the battle of Passchendaele.

During the war, a second battalion was
also raised in Ontario County and
assigned the number 182. Although this
battalion went to Europe as a complete
unit in 1917, it was broken up to
provide reinforcements to other Canadian
battalions that had suffered heavy
losses at Vimy Ridge.

After World War I, the 116th Battalion
reverted again became known as the 34th
Battalion of Infantry and continued its
training as an infantry unit another
reorganization of the Canadian militia
in the mid-1930s.

On the 15th December 1936, the unit,
along with five other Canadian infantry
battalions, was designated an armoured
regiment within the Brigadier Frank
Worthington's fledgling Canadian
Armoured Corps and renamed The
Ontario Regiment (Tank). It was with
this title that the Regiment mobilized
for war in 1939. The Regiment's named
was changed to the 11th Canadian
Armoured Regiment (Ontarios) in 1942
during preparations for its role in the
Italy.

In 1943, entered action during the
Sicily Invasion. The Ontarios fought
with distinction through Sicily, on
through southern Italy and into the
extraordinarily tough battles in the
Liri Valley, Ortona and Cassino. After a
short respite after the fall of Rome,
the Regiment moved into Northwest Europe
and fought through the lowlands earning
battle honours during the campaign to
liberate Holland.

A second reserve Regimental battalion
was raised during the war. Some of its
members were utilized guarding German
prisoners across Ontario and Quebec.
Others members were sent to train at
Camp Borden with some eventually seeing
action in Europe the end of the war.

There
were two more name changes for the
Regiment after after World War II.

In 1946, the Regiment was designated the
11th Armoured Regiment (Ontario
Regiment) and in 1958, the Regiment
assumed the title by which it is known
today: The Ontario Regiment, Royal
Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC).

During
the post-World War II years, The
Ontarios continued as an armoured tank
regiment employing the Mark IV Sherman
Tank.

The
Regiment was one of the last Canadian
militia units to give up their Shermans
in 1972 and was subsequently re-rolled
as an armoured reconnaissance unit
employing a variety of equipment
including jeeps, the ferret (on
occasion) and the M113 Lynx armoured
reconnaissance vehicle.

The Ontarios were awarded the Freedom of
the City of Oshawa and the County of
Ontario in 1966. The Freedom of the
Region was bestowed upon the unit by the
Regional Municipality of Durham in 1979.

In
1980, the Ontarios were re-designated an
armoured regiment, this time using the
Cougar armoured vehicle. During the
subsequent 25 years, the Regiment also
maintained an Iltis-based armoured
reconnaissance squadron or RHQ recce
troop depending on its budget and
tasking.

Many of
the regiment's soldiers, NCOs and
officers enjoy the unique distinction
among their peers in reserve armoured
regiments, having been trained and
qualified in both armoured and
reconnaissance roles.

With the retirement of the Cougar in the
2004, the Regiment was again
re-designated an armoured reconnaissance
unit, briefly employing and conducting
trials on all terrain vehicles.

Today, the Regiment is in the midst of
adopting the Mercedes-built LUVW G-Wagon
as it assumes its armoured
reconnaissance tasking.

In
recent decades, members of the Regiment
have served on active duty with elements
of Canada�s regular army including the
8th Canadian Hussars, the Royal Canadian
Dragoons and the Lord Strathcona's Horse
(RC) at Canada�s former NATO mechanized
brigade, based in Germany until 1994.

Several Ontarios have seen active duty
in a range of United Nations, NATO, or
European Union-led missions in Cyprus,
the Golan Heights, Cambodia, and the
former Yugoslavia.

Most recently, members of the Regiment
have deployed to Afghanistan in support
of Operation Athena. Since 2003, seven
Ontarios have served in theatre and
returned safely to Canada. In August
2006, 1 captain and 5 corporals deployed
to the region to serve on a six-month
rotation scheduled to conclude in early
2007.